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The European Union has introduced new rules to protect its steel industry and control the rise of small e-commerce parcels from China. These measures include a 3 euro customs fee on small packages and limits on steel imports to address the large trade imbalance with China.
Key Facts
The EU added a 3 euro customs duty on small packages valued under 150 euros, removing a previous exemption.
Around 90% of these small e-commerce packages come from Chinese companies like Temu and Shein.
In 2025, 5.9 billion small packages entered the EU, up from 1.4 billion in 2022.
Most packages were found to fail EU safety tests and raised environmental concerns due to excessive plastic use.
New steel import rules aim to protect EU jobs and steel plants from excess global steel production fueled by Chinese subsidies.
The EU’s trade deficit with China reached about 360 billion euros ($410 billion) in 2025 and is growing.
The 3 euro package fee may reduce small purchases but might not significantly change overall trade due to cheaper prices in China.
The US has already implemented a similar customs rule on small package imports.
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Ukrainian forces attacked a large Russian oil refinery in Ufa for the second time in one week, striking far inside Russia. Ukraine has been hitting Russian fuel facilities regularly, causing fuel shortages and slowing the Russian military’s operations.
Key Facts
Ukraine attacked the Ufa oil refinery, one of Russia’s largest, located over 1,000 km from Ukraine.
Ukraine also hit a missile parts plant in Russia’s Penza region, about 500 km from Ukraine.
These strikes are part of ongoing Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil facilities, including refineries and pipeline stations.
Russia reported intercepting 179 Ukrainian drones over multiple regions and nearby waters.
Ukrainian drone strikes have caused fuel rationing in many parts of Russia, disrupting Russian military supply lines.
Ukraine has developed drones and missiles that help reduce Russian advances on the battlefield.
Sweden will provide Ukraine with Gripen fighter jets to help defend against Russian aircraft and missiles.
European countries seek closer defense ties with Ukraine, although NATO membership remains debated.
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Syria's first Parliament after the end of the Assad family rule is taking shape with interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa naming 70 lawmakers. The new 210-member Parliament will hold its first meeting soon, aiming to pass new laws and prepare for future elections as Syria recovers from decades of conflict.
Key Facts
Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa named 70 members of Syria’s new Parliament.
The Parliament has a total of 210 members and will meet for the first time on Monday.
Among the 70 new members, 15 are women, increasing female representation to 22 lawmakers.
The new Parliament will serve a 30-month term and work on creating a new election law.
Syria’s last Parliament ended after a 2024 insurgent offensive that ended Assad family rule.
Some regions, like Sweida and northeast Syria, were excluded from early voting due to control by local forces.
The Parliament aims to support Syria’s recovery from civil war and decades of authoritarian rule.
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More than 72 million people in the United States will travel at least 50 miles during the Fourth of July holiday. Many will drive and face gas prices that are about 66 cents higher per gallon than last year, while domestic flight prices have increased by around 31%.
Key Facts
Over 72 million Americans plan to travel 50 miles or more during the Fourth of July weekend.
Most travelers will use personal vehicles for their trips.
Gas prices are about 66 cents more per gallon compared to the same time last year.
Domestic airline ticket prices have risen by approximately 31% from last year.
The data comes from AAA (American Automobile Association).
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A 31-year-old woman survived after falling 1,500 feet while climbing Mount Shasta in California. Rescue teams found her with injuries and took her to a medical center for treatment.
Key Facts
The woman was climbing Mount Shasta, a tall volcanic peak in the Cascade Range.
She was part of a group of three less-experienced climbers at about 13,000 feet elevation.
She fell 1,500 feet and suffered a possible ankle fracture and other injuries.
Rescue started around noon and involved three forest service climbing rangers and the California Highway Patrol.
Poor weather limited helicopter search, so a ranger climbed on foot to reach her.
The woman was rescued around 5:30 p.m. and taken to Mercy Medical Center Mount Shasta.
Mount Shasta requires mountaineering skills, including use of crampons (spiked shoes), ice axes, and helmets.
Officials reminded climbers that the mountain is challenging and weather conditions can change quickly.
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Keir Starmer defended his £298 billion defence investment plan in the UK Parliament despite criticism that it leaves a £4.7 billion funding gap for his expected successor, Andy Burnham. The plan increases defence spending slightly but falls short of NATO’s target of 3.5% of GDP by 2035, and some say it cuts other important projects to pay for it.
Key Facts
Starmer’s defence plan sets spending to rise from 2.6% of GDP in 2027 to 2.7% by 2030, aiming for 3% in the next parliament.
NATO wants the UK to spend 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035, a target not fully addressed by this plan.
The plan costs £298 billion in total investment.
Critics say the plan leaves a £4.7 billion funding shortfall that Burnham will face as the new prime minister.
Funding for some transport infrastructure projects has been cut to pay for the defence plan.
Starmer said the government increased defence spending by £15 billion outside regular budgets.
Conservative opponents accuse Labour of failing to find enough money for defence while increasing welfare spending.
Starmer denied that Burnham was informed of the £5 billion funding gap before the announcement.
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E Jean Carroll has asked a judge to order President Donald Trump to pay her nearly $5.8 million from a jury verdict that found him liable for sexually abusing and defaming her. The request follows the US Supreme Court’s refusal to hear Trump’s appeal, and Carroll’s lawyers say Trump is trying to delay payment.
Key Facts
A jury found President Trump liable for sexually abusing E Jean Carroll in the 1990s and defaming her after she spoke publicly about the attack in 2019.
Carroll is owed about $5.8 million, including interest, from that verdict.
The US Supreme Court declined to hear Trump’s appeal of the civil case verdict in 2024.
Carroll’s lawyers filed papers asking the court to require Trump to pay the full amount without further delay.
Trump has continued making statements against Carroll and sought to delay the payout while asking the court to reconsider.
Carroll first publicly accused Trump in a 2019 magazine article, describing an assault at a Manhattan department store in 1996.
Trump has denied the allegations and called the case politically motivated and fake.
Trump is also appealing an $83 million defamation award to Carroll from a separate trial in 2024.
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A bomb exploded at the entrance of a residential building in Monaco, seriously injuring three people from one Ukrainian family. Among the injured is Ukrainian businessman Vadym Yermolaiev, his partner, and their 13-year-old son. Police are searching for a suspect who left a backpack containing the explosive and fled on foot.
Key Facts
The blast happened at 9 pm on Monday in central Monaco.
Three victims are Ukrainian nationals from the same family: Vadym Yermolaiev, his partner, and their son.
Yermolaiev is a wealthy businessman who moved to Monaco in 2021 and was sanctioned by Ukraine in 2023 for business ties in Crimea.
The woman is in life-threatening condition; Yermolaiev and their son have less severe injuries but were hospitalized.
Police saw a man leave a backpack before the bomb exploded; he acted alone and is still being sought.
The bomb contained bolts and buckshot, making it more harmful.
Monaco’s authorities described the incident as a serious and unusual crime in the principality.
Some reports suggest Ukraine’s Security Service may be involved, but the attack might have been a warning rather than a murder attempt.
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Two people died after a small two-seat Cessna plane crashed in a field near Ongar, Essex. The plane had taken off from North Weald airfield for a short flight but did not return, and investigators are working to find out what happened.
Key Facts
The crash happened off Mill Lane, Ongar, Essex.
The plane was on a short flight experience from North Weald airfield, about seven miles away.
The two people on board have not yet been formally identified.
Essex police and the Air Accident Investigations Branch (AAIB) are investigating the crash.
The AAIB team includes experts in engineering, human factors, and flight operations.
Police, fire service, airfield staff, and local council are working together on the investigation.
Authorities are asking witnesses or anyone with video to contact the police.
The police aim to handle the investigation carefully and support the families of the victims.
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President Donald Trump earned over $2.2 billion in 2025 from his businesses, including crypto ventures, hotels, and branded products, according to a government ethics report. Meanwhile, the US Supreme Court ruled against his executive order that tried to end birthright citizenship, upholding the constitutional right for nearly everyone born in the US to be a citizen.
Key Facts
Trump made more than $1 billion from his crypto-related businesses in 2025.
His total reported earnings last year were over $2.2 billion from various businesses around the world, including investments in China.
Trump also earned millions from selling Trump-branded products such as bibles, sneakers, and watches.
He made tens of millions from licensing and fees connected to hotels, resorts, and condos overseas.
Many of the countries where Trump earns money were negotiating with the US on tariffs and military aid at the same time.
The US Supreme Court struck down Trump’s executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship, citing the 14th Amendment.
The ruling confirmed nearly all people born on US soil are automatically US citizens, which was a key part of Trump’s immigration agenda.
A Democratic socialist named Melat Kiros defeated a 15-term incumbent in Colorado’s primary, marking a shift on the left within the Democratic Party.
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The Duke of York’s theatre in London’s West End will be renamed the Tom Stoppard theatre to honour the late playwright Tom Stoppard. The theatre is currently showing a revival of his play Arcadia, celebrating his contributions to British theatre.
Key Facts
The Duke of York’s theatre will be renamed after Tom Stoppard, who died in November at age 88.
Tom Stoppard was a well-known playwright with multiple successful plays at this theatre, including Arcadia and Rock’n’Roll.
The current play at the theatre is a revival of Arcadia, directed by Carrie Cracknell.
Stoppard was involved in casting and production planning for the revival before his death.
The theatre was originally called the Trafalgar Square theatre and renamed for King George V in 1894.
ATG Entertainment operates the theatre and supports the renaming to honour Stoppard’s impact.
Other nearby theatres include the Noël Coward theatre and the Coliseum.
Recently, London’s Shaftesbury theatre was renamed the Judi Dench theatre.
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During the American Revolution, Florida was made up of two British colonies, East Florida and West Florida, which stayed loyal to Britain instead of joining the fight for independence. After the war, Florida returned to Spanish control and later became part of the United States in 1821.
Key Facts
In 1776, Florida was divided into two British colonies: East Florida (capital St. Augustine) and West Florida (capital Pensacola).
Both colonies remained loyal to Britain during the American Revolution and did not rebel.
Florida was not heavily affected by British taxes like the Stamp Act, which angered other colonies.
The British army protected Florida settlers from attacks by Native American tribes.
West Florida declined an invitation to join the First Continental Congress in 1774.
East Florida saw an influx of British loyalists fleeing rebel colonies in Georgia and the Carolinas.
After the Revolution, Florida was given back to Spain until 1821.
Florida became the 27th U.S. state in 1845.
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Manny Rutinel won the Democratic primary in Colorado’s 8th Congressional District by a large margin, with significant funding from tech industry donors. Rutinel helped create Colorado’s 2024 law regulating artificial intelligence (AI), and many tech groups supported him because of his pro-regulation stance.
Key Facts
Manny Rutinel won the Democratic primary in Colorado’s 8th District by 26 points.
The district is majority Latino and can influence control of the U.S. House.
Tech industry figures and companies gave large amounts of money to support Rutinel.
Anthropic, Google, Meta, and OpenAI employees donated about $265,000 directly to Rutinel’s campaign.
A super PAC funded by cryptocurrency billionaire Chris Larsen spent nearly $1 million to support Rutinel.
A group of ultra-conservative Catholics called the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) ordained four bishops without the pope’s permission, which led to their automatic excommunication. The SSPX opposes modern changes in the Catholic Church and sees their actions as a duty to protect church tradition, while Pope Leo called the ordinations a serious break from church unity.
Key Facts
The SSPX held a ceremony in Ecône, Switzerland, to ordain four new bishops without Pope Leo’s approval.
All five bishops involved face automatic excommunication according to Catholic law.
The SSPX opposes changes from the Second Vatican Council, such as allowing Mass to be said in local languages instead of only Latin.
Pope Leo called the ordinations a “schismatic act” and a “sin of extreme gravity.”
The SSPX was founded in 1970 to resist liberalizing reforms in the Catholic Church.
The group has about 1,500 priests and members, with strong bases in the US (Kansas), France, and Argentina.
The SSPX’s last major conflict with the Vatican was in 1988, when its founder was excommunicated for similar unauthorized ordinations.
Pope Leo, elected in 2023 as the first North American pope, has focused on church unity and healing divides with traditionalists.
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A fire broke out on the eighth floor of a 10-story apartment building in Antwerp, Belgium, causing several deaths and injuries. Firefighters faced tough conditions while trying to control the blaze in a building housing over 200 people.
Key Facts
The fire started on the eighth floor of an apartment block in the Linkeroever area of Antwerp.
The building has 10 floors and homes more than 200 residents.
Firefighters arrived shortly after the emergency call at 9:53 am local time.
Thick smoke and poor visibility made it difficult to fight the fire.
Emergency services, including fire brigades and ambulances, responded quickly.
Some residents tried to escape by hanging out of windows to find fresh air.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever expressed sympathy for victims and praised emergency workers.
Linkeroever is a residential neighborhood known for high-rise apartments and nearby outdoor summer events.
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A study has found that New Orleans is at a "point of no return" due to rising sea levels and land sinking, which means people may need to move away from the city in the future. Local leaders and residents have responded with concern and disagreement, while experts say relocation will be a slow process over many years.
Key Facts
A recent study says New Orleans faces serious risks from climate change, with rising seas and land erosion threatening the city.
The study warns the Louisiana coastline could move inland by up to 62 miles, threatening New Orleans within about 100 years.
New Orleans is currently protected by levees, pumps, and flood gates, so no immediate evacuation is needed.
Mayor Helena Moreno and others criticize the study, saying it focuses on publicity rather than solutions.
Some residents have protested the idea of moving and expressed frustration over government responses.
The lead researcher says the city's coastal wetlands have passed a survival tipping point and compares New Orleans to Venice in the future.
Louisiana’s governor canceled a $3 billion coastal restoration project, which experts say worsens the city's risks.
The U.S. currently has no national plan for relocating large populations threatened by climate change.
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Some established Democrats, including Jaime Harrison, a former chair of the Democratic National Committee, are criticizing democratic socialists who won recent primary elections. These socialists have gained strong voter support, which worries many within the party who have close ties to big corporations.
Key Facts
Jaime Harrison tweeted that democratic socialists who dislike the Democratic Party should not run as its candidates.
Three democratic socialists recently won Democratic primaries for Congress in New York City.
Harrison previously worked as a lobbyist for many large companies like Bank of America, Boeing, and Google.
Other Democrats, including James Carville, have publicly said socialist winners are not true Democrats.
Carville’s recent political strategy calls for Democrats to retreat and let Republicans fail on their own.
Progressive candidates have been winning major local offices in cities such as New York, Seattle, Washington DC, and Los Angeles.
The rise of strong progressive candidates has surprised many in the Democratic Party who are linked to corporate interests.
Changing public opinions, including on issues like support for Israel, are influencing voter preferences in Democratic primaries.
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A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision supported state laws that limit transgender students from participating in school sports. Young conservative women, including members of Generation Z, have actively supported these restrictions and have become influential in conservative political movements.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court upheld laws restricting transgender students from sports participation.
These laws focus on maintaining what supporters call “biological reality” in girls' sports.
Penny Young Nance, CEO of Concerned Women for America, praised the ruling as protecting young women.
Generation Z conservative women have played a strong role in pushing these laws at state levels.
These women use some feminist language but support policies that exclude transgender athletes.
Many of these state laws began with Idaho’s 2020 ban, which faced legal challenges from the ACLU.
Young conservative women are active in politics, social media, and advocacy groups supporting these policies.
This trend shows a shift from past conservative women activists who opposed feminist ideas, as today's young conservatives adopt some feminist terms while opposing transgender inclusion.
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This article discusses how the United States marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence amid ongoing struggles with voting rights, civil rights, and democracy. Activists believe this anniversary is a chance to rethink and rebuild the country’s promise of freedom and equality for all.
Key Facts
The Fourth of July 2026 marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence.
Many Americans see this anniversary as a moment to reflect on ongoing attacks on voting rights and civil rights.
Activists include workers, lawyers, Indigenous leaders, and organizers, all pushing for major changes.
Chris Smalls, a workers' rights activist, says the U.S. needs to move beyond the two-party political system.
Kristen Clarke, NAACP general counsel, calls for reforms to protect voting rights legally and to change the Supreme Court.
Activists believe the country can be rebuilt into a democracy that truly serves all people, not just the powerful.
There is a call for new laws ensuring everyone has the right to vote regardless of race, background, or economic status.
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A woman experienced sudden severe chest pain and was diagnosed with a rare and dangerous heart condition at age 20. She underwent two major heart surgeries and continues to live with heart failure, which has greatly changed her lifestyle.
Key Facts
The woman was 20 years old when she first had chest pain, difficulty breathing, and a rapid heart rate.
She was initially suspected to have a blood clot but was diagnosed with an abnormal coronary artery causing a risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
She had an emergency heart surgery called an unroofing procedure at the University of Minnesota.
Eight months later, she developed pneumonia that affected her heart, leading to additional complications like collapsed lung and pericarditis (inflammation around the heart).
She was admitted to the Mayo Clinic multiple times and had a second open-heart surgery lasting over nine hours.
Recovery from the second surgery was difficult, including a long healing process with an open incision and heart infection.
Now, at age 24, she lives with heart failure and has had to give up many active parts of her previous lifestyle.
Her story highlights how sudden and serious heart conditions can develop in young adults without previous warning.
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